Mechanic claims 'most useless' car feature you should know about adds '10 more expensive parts' and ups the price

Published on Oct 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards

Last updated on Oct 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Mechanic claims 'most useless' car feature you should know about adds '10 more expensive parts' and ups the price

A mechanic on TikTok has gone viral because he described the ‘most useless’ car feature you should know about, which adds ’10 more expensive parts’ and ups the price.

The system he hates? The Auto Start-Stop system.

If you’ve driven a newer car, you’ve probably noticed it: you roll to a red light, the engine cuts off, then the second you lift your foot, it fires back up.

Car companies push it as green tech; it causes less idling due to less fuel use and fewer emissions, but according to this mechanic, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen.

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Mechanic calls out ‘most useless’ car feature

If you drive a new car, then you’ve definitely come across the Auto Start-Stop feature, which means when you stop at a red light, the engine cuts out automatically.

After you lift your foot, the engine starts again.

Seems handy enough, and automakers describe it as environmentally friendly because it means fewer exhaust emissions and less fuel use due to reduced idling.

However, the lead tech from Accurate Automotive thinks that the Auto Start-Stop feature is the ‘most useless’ car feature.

He explained that because your car’s engine now restarts dozens more times a day, the wear piles up on the starters, batteries, and even sensors, which all get put under added stress.

Piles on price and ’10 more expensive parts’

In the TikTok, the mechanic says: “It’s like 10 additional parts in your car that tend to go out […] and they’re all crazy expensive.”

The feature means that more parts are being stopped and started more frequently, meaning that more parts can (and probably will) break.

Hammering components like the starter motor and battery is not recommended, and will probably wear out your engine quicker than usual driving.

Sure, you’ll be saving nickels upon nickels in fuel, but is it worth the repair costs down the line?

Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.